Folding shipping crate or box



(No Model.)

- J. MOINTYRE.

FOLDING SHIPPING GRATE 0R BOX.

N0.2'76,850. Patented May 1,1883.

3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

V 3 Sheets-Sheet 2. J. MoINTYRE. FOLDING SHIPPING CRATE ORBOX.

(No Model.)

No. 276,850. Patented May 1,1883.

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- TOLDING SHIPPING CRATE OR BOX.

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v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES MGINTYBE, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

FOLDING SHIPPING'CRATE OR BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 276,850, dated May 1, 1883.

Application filed September 25, 1882. (N0 model.)

[0 The object of this invention is to furnish a partitioned shipping crate'or box for the transportation of various articles-such as oranges and other fruits-and to so construct and arrange it that, when empty, it may without disr memberment be collapsed and made most compact for return to the shipper for further use.

My invention consists in a collapsible shipping crate or box divided into a series of compartments by a division-plate and hinged partitions, and also in the devices and combinations of devices set forth in the appended claims. In the drawings, Figure 1 represents the crate complete, as used in carrying fruit. Fig.

. 2 shows it with the front and back sides folded 2 under, exposing the hinged partitions and the ends of the series of compartments. Fig. 3

represents the crate with the sides folded be neath the bottom and the ends folded backupon the top, while Fig. 4 shows it empty and collapsed for return; and Fig. 5 is a top view, showing the fast-enin gs.

My crates or boxes have, as shown, a continuous central rack or division, A, preferably of wood, to which are hinged, on its opposite sides, the series of partitions D D, which are likewise hinged to the wooden top G and bottom B,respectivel y. These partitions I usually make of tinned or galvanized sheet-iron for strength and economy of space, and also because I can form the hinges E, at the opposite edges of such partitions, with half the leaves of each hinge integral with the partition itself and extending around the pintle. This construction will be clear from Figs. 2 and 3. The

5 alternate leaves of each hinge are of similar material, riveted to the central division-plate,

A, or the bottom or top B G, as,the case may be. The pintle uniting the leaves is a continuous rod or wire.

It is obvious that instead of the single central rack or division-plate, A, there may he in large boxes two or more such racks or plates connected by the hinged partitions D, and that I in small boxes having but a single row of compartments said rack or plate would be omitted, and the hinged partitions would directly counect the bottom and top B G.

The parts A B G of the crates are preferably light wooden racks, each formed of a series of slats connected transversely by sheet-metal 6o binding-strips F, covering the ends of the slats, as well as by the strips which form the alternate leaves of the hinges E. The sides G and ends H, hinged at I to the bottom B and top 0, respectively, are also preferably of rack 6 5 form,with binding-strips F. Both are provided with projecting hooks J, serving to strengthen and 'hold together the parts of the crate and to preserve its rectangular form when in use. The books on the ends H extend beneath the bottom of the crate, and those on the sides G overlap the ends when closed and lock themy in position for use. l

The sides may be locked in their closed position by any suitable means; but I prefer the 7 device which 1 have originated and illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5. A broad staple, K, secured to the side G, carries a swinging spring-arm,

L, preferably of stout wire, formed with a hook at its outer end, where the wire is doubled or turned back on itself. Adjoining the hook is a twisted part, L, where the wire is wrapped around itself, and a spread base, where the ends diverge and are separately pivoted on the staple, as shown. This construction braces 8 5 and materially stiifens the fastening-hook and its arm. These hook-armsengage with each other, or with a staple, M, at the center of the top 0, where they may be additionally secured by a wedge beneath the staple M, or otherwise. 0 Thus the crate may be wholly opened, unpacked, and collapsed without detaching any part, making it especially desirable as a return-crate.

With my improvement there will in no case be a pressure of the contents of one compartment uponthose of another, and only when placed on its side will the articles in any one compartment rest upon each other. Such vertical position of the compartments should there- ICO fore be avoided when tender fruit is to be trans-l ported.

When the sides and ends are turned back, as in Fig. 3, the whole structure may be collapsed, the partitions of one range or series folding toward and in the same direction as those of the other range; or they may fold in opposite directions, (to the right and left, respectively,) in which case the length of the package would be somewhat increased. The ends H maybe hinged both to the top and bottom of the crate when this latter mode of folding is followed. Partitions D maybe provided at the ends of the parts AB C, so that the outer compartments will not be exposed on three sides by opening the box.

I claim as of my invention- 1. A collapsible shipping crate or box divided into a series of compartments by a di- 3. A collapsible shipping crate or box having folding partitions hinged to a division plate or plates, and, in the upper and lower 30 parts, also hinged to the top or bottom of said crate, in combination with hinged ends and sides provided with projecting hooks engaging at the corners of the folded box, for the purpose set forth. 3 5

4. A collapsible shipping crate having slatted top, bottom, sides, and ends- -the slats of each of said parts united transversely by binding-strips U-shaped in cross-section, so as to protect and conceal the ends of the slatsin 4o combination with folding partitions subdividing the space in said crate, substantially as set forth.

5. The box-fastening hook herein described, having the twisted part L and the diverging 45 brace-arms L, in combination with the staples K and M, for. the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I hereto affix my signa- 1 ture inpresence of two witnesses. 7

JAMES MOINIYRE. 

